Custom Embroidered Patches Are Ubiquitous
It’s probably hard to go one day without seeing a few custom patches. Motorcycle club members, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, police, security guards, bass masters, and soldiers all use custom embroidered patches to make a statement.
A custom patch can identify the member of a special group, or show that the wearer has reached some important milestone or achievement. For this reason, most clubs and organizations put a lot of thought into the design and production of new patches.
The key to creating a successful custom patch is to work with an experienced graphic artist to develop a unique design. With the help of the graphic artists at an experienced patch supplier, custom patches can easily be digitized from an existing logo, or created from a drawing of a brand new design. The higher the quality of the embroidery, the better the embroidered patches will stand out. The best patch providers offer free artwork/setup and a digitized sewout, giving the person commissioning the patch the opportunity to see how the design will look stitched. Embroidered patches originally were used in the branches of the military to identify members of specific units and rank. Military units still use them for that purpose, as well as for popular “morale” patches that soldiers design with the buddies in their unit. Other organizations, such as law enforcement and fire departments that operate with a military-style organizational structure, also have a fine patch tradition.
Professional organizations and corporations can use custom patches to promote the company or identify past and future employees. Popular bands on tour discover that custom patches become highly prized items for fans to wear and collect.
Scouting organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and the like also rely on custom patches to show mastery of specific skills, rank, and completion of projects. Merit badges and custom patches are awarded to those who embody the spirit of the organizations’ ideals. In recent years, some council patches and order of the arrow patches have become highly sought-after by collectors. These patches are searched for at “Trade-o-Rees” and patch conventions and can sell for thousands of dollars on sites such as eBay.
Custom embroidered patches also enjoy a long history with motorcycle clubs. While three-piece biker patches have become the most infamous, many bikers also like to wear small custom patches on their jackets or vests as well. These can represent anything from a memorial for a fallen biker, to a statement of one’s beliefs, to a humorous message.
Custom Patches make a strong statement about identity. Organizations, clubs, and individuals shouldn’t trust just any patch supplier with them. Take a little time and effort to find the one that’s been in business over thirty years and has the licenses and proven track record of success.